May 2016, Day 2: Top Tier Solid

Kaisei was ready to take on Kotoshogiku; in a four-point stance early on like Yoshikaze. His preparation was all for naught, though, as the portly jack-rabbit was able to get low, and with leverage and a hand on the belt, ushered the Brazilian to the edge. Let’s hope Kaisei’s grasp on sanyaku status is a bit more secure than Dilma’s grasp on power back in Brasilia. He’ll face Goeido tomorrow and it would be nice to have some of these komusubi and sekiwake repeat in their ranks for a few tournaments.

Our champions are still on top of things. No upsets yet. Last tournament, Uncle Taka got things started off with an upset of Hakuho. In the spirit of okaeshi (お返し), I was half expecting Hakuho to rip Takarafuji’s head off. Myogiryu and Yoshikaze have felt the wrath before but I doubt he’d want to start things with Isegahama beya. Regardless, the neckless wonder keeps his head but lost the match pretty quickly. Hakuho also picks up his 880th win, overtaking Kaio for most all-time and further solidifying himself as the greatest rikishi of all time.

Kakuryu picked up another win after Harumafuji dispatched the upstart Shodai. Harumafuji successfully absorbed Shodai’s initial charge, and quickly got the motor turning in the other direction. Goeido very nearly fell to a hatakikomi from Okinoumi but the ozeki was able to bull his challenger off the dohyo in time. Terunofuji had his hands full with Aoiyama and is still favoring that knee. I’ll never understand the decisions his camp makes with regard to his health. Kisenosato had no problem with Kotoyuki.

The Ichinojo/Ikioi bout seemed to last about as long as any of the makuuchi bouts today but the result was never in doubt. Ichinojo had position in the middle of the ring and wore Ikioi down. Ikioi will face Terunofuji tomorrow. He needs to pick up some first week wins! In eight tournaments at M3 and higher, he’s got a grand total of six wins (34 losses) in the critical first 5 day stretch of those tournaments.

Aminishiki appeared to win his match against Tochinoshin as the Georgian stepped out…but the geezer took a knee as he appeared to injure his ankle. With those heavily-taped knees, Aminishiki may be done. He was helped off the dohyo and had to be taken away by wheelchair. The kimarite is tsukihiza, which I believe translates, simply, to “taking a knee.”

Yoshikaze was forced out easily by Tochiozan and Toyonoshima got spun around backwards and escorted out by Takanoiwa. Mitakeumi put to rest any apprehension of his bout with the aggressive Osunaarashi by pulling a beautiful henka. Amuru’s knee appears to have taken him out of the tournament. Endo, meanwhile, picked up a win against Satoyama – visiting from Juryo.

For tomorrow, odds are probably on the first upset of the tournament being Ichinojo vs Harumafuji, whose shikona translates to “He Who Bleeds Gold Stars.”

Homarenishiki and Chiyonoumi are nowhere to be seen for tomorrow. I hope they are well and I’ll try to find whatever news I can.